Philippians 3:19

The context does not specify whether these people were Christians or not, but antinomianism was common among both groups in Paul’s day, as it is today. [Note: See Robert A. Pyne, "Antinomianism and Dispensationalism," Bibliotheca Sacra 153:610 (April-June 1996):141-54.] Consequently we should probably understand "destruction" in a general sense. The same Greek word (apoleia) occurs in Philippians 1:28 where it probably refers to unbelievers and eternal destruction. Nevertheless believers can experience discipline, and even premature physical death as discipline, if they continue to resist the will of God (Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 John 5:16).

Three characteristics mark these people (cf. Philippians 3:2-3). First, they give free rein to the satisfaction of their sensual appetites and do not restrain the flesh (cf. Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 6:13; Judges 1:11). Second, they find satisfaction and take pride in things that they do that should cause them shame (cf. Ephesians 5:12). Third, they involve themselves almost totally in physical and material things, things pertaining to the present enjoyment of life, to the exclusion of spiritual matters. In short, their ritualistic observances had taken God’s place in their lives. They had become idolaters.

"He [Paul] is probably describing some itinerants, whose view of the faith is such that it allows them a great deal of undisciplined self-indulgence. . . . In any case, they have not appeared heretofore in the letter, and do not appear again. They have served their immediate purpose of standing in sharp relief to Paul’s own ’walk’ and to his heavenly pursuit, so crucial to this letter, and toward which Paul now turns once more as he begins to draw this appeal to an end." [Note: Fee, Paul’s Letter . . ., p. 375.]